Hair Remixer and Visionary!
Meet Harlem Taste-Maker, Jacqueline “Jacci” Allmond. She is the proud owner of Pizzaz Salon & Spa located at 333 Malcolm X Blvd in Harlem (bet 126th & 127th Streets).
PROFILE
Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite Movie: Bapps with Hale Berry, a romantic, heart warming movie, funny, ghetto, all rapped up in love.
Favorite Restarant in Harlem: Sylvia’s (fried chicken with mac & cheese and collard greens) and Food For Life (sunset salad)!
Favorite Place to hangout in Harlem: Hudson River Cafe It’s for the grown & sexy! My drink is the Mojito
What I LOVE about Harlem: I love everything about harlem! The people are like no other. The culture, the history, Cotton Club, Lenox Lounge, all the historical places are still here for you to see. The first dept store, the sign is still there although the store is gone.
Tell me a bit about your background?
I began in the industry a little over 15 years ago. After completing 2 years of college I decided to go to beauty school (Robert Fiance) because I felt computers were going to take over the world. I wanted to have a skill that a computer could not take away from me.
I had a corporate job for a minute, along with doing hair part-time. Two things I realized were that if I wanted to be good at doing hair I had to apply myself full-time and that I was making more money in the two days I did hair rather than a week at my full time corporate job. I worked at a few salons then I opened Pizzaz in 1996.
What’s the culture like at Pizzaz?
I wanted a place were the stylist worked as a team, working for the betterment of our industry. I started out small with 7 styling stations then decided to expanded when the space next door became vacant.
I did a full gut renovation with 15 styling stations, two treatment rooms for facials and massages and a manicure and pedicure area. I wanted to be able to keep the clients in one salon for all their services. At Pizzaz, we have a lot of fun on a daily basis. We’re a family. All of my clients feel welcomed at the salon. They can relax and be comfortable.
Do you specialize in Black hair care only?
I would say that because we do because that is what the neighborhood calls for, but we can do all hair types and textures. That’s the great thing about hair, it has no color, its about type and texture!
Who are your mentors?
I do have mentors in the hair industry: Veronica Forbes, Dave Ray and Jacqueline Tarrant
Where do you draw your inspiration?
I look at styles Europeans are wearing and bring that to our client base. For short cuts, what the men are sporting in the magazines. My team and I attend fashion shows and other hair shows. Inspiration comes from all things.
It could be a shape, a color or a tweek of a retro style from the past. We try to take things to a new level. Fashion plays a big part in where hair trends go. If a long coat is in than short hair looks great. If short fashion styles are in then long hair may rule. It really depends on certain elements.
Do you have a signature hair style?
Short cuts!
What do you LOVE most about what you do?
I would say the best part of what I do is when a person comes in one way and I do a complete change. It’s a make-over in disguise. The smile and even sometimes the happy tears are overwhelming. I love my work!! I am also a therapist. I mix personal advice in with the hairstyles.
How do you give back to the Harlem community?
I sponsor a list of events: domestic violence, Bapps for young girls, Pizazz Back to School Dazes, Harlem Week Fashion & Hair Show and fashion week. We were featured in Jet magazine 3xs and we are in all the hair publications.
What are you up to these days?
Right now I am renovating the salon to add a hair replacement center. I will also retail hair products. Also, I work for Soft Sheen Carson a division of L’Oréal and Sensationnel Pro 10 Hair.